Search

A novel negative electrode with pyridonic-N and nitro functional groups is designed by tailoring nitrogen functional groups from the pre-nitrogen-doped electrode. Both groups can accelerate mass and charge transfer toward the V2+/V3+redox reaction.

Geometric anisotropy in colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) induces polarized light absorption and emission that play an important role in optoelectronic applications. So far, studies of shape and optical anisotropy have been mostly limited to Cd- or Pb-containing NCs because of the technical difficulties involved in the synthesis of anisotropic NCs using, for example, III-V crystals. Here, we report the linearly polarized light absorption and emission of the Cd-free branched NCs (BNCs), wherein wurtzite ZnS arms grow off the zincblende seeds (InAs, InP, or ZnSe NCs) in the presence of oleylamine at a high temperature (300 °C). By the proper control of the size and composition of the seed NCs, the linearly polarized light emission of Cd-free BNCs can be tuned from ultraviolet to near-infrared. From small-angle X-ray scattering analysis, we find that the linear polarization of InP/ZnS BNCs originates mainly from the broken symmetry in shape after the depletion of the precursor to minimize the surface energy. In addition, we demonstrate uniaxial alignment of BNCs under the external electric field, which implies the formation of the permanent dipole moment in anisotropic BNCs. This work sheds light on the utilization of optically anisotropic NCs in practical applications that essentially demand the nontoxicity of materials.

AbstractRegulation of proper gene expression is important for cellular and organismal survival, maintenance, and growth. Abnormal gene expression, even for a single critical gene, can thwart cellular integrity and normal physiology to cause diseases, aging, and death. Therefore, gene expression profiling serves as a powerful tool to understand the pathology of diseases and to cure them. In this study, the difference in gene expression in Flammulina velutipeswas compared between the wild type (WT) mushroom and the mutant one with clogging phenomenon. Differentially expressed transcripts were screened to identify the candidate genes responsible for the mutant phenotype using the DNA microarray analysis. A total of 88 genes including 60 upregulated and 28 downregulated genes were validated using the real-time quantitative PCR analysis. In addition, proteomic differences between the WT and mutant mushroom were analyzed using two–dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF). Interestingly, the genes identified by these genomic and proteomic analyses were involved in stress response, translation, and energy/sugar metabolism, including HSP70, elongation factor 2, and pyruvate kinase. Together, our data suggest that the aberrant expression of these genes attributes to the mutant clogging phenotype. We propose that these genes can be targeted to foster normal growth in F. velutipes.

We report a graphene oxide (GO)-based composite, featuring GO/cross-linking agent (CA) nanoparticles, inspired by a nacre-like hierarchical structure present in nature. The as-prepared GO/CA composite was powdered to nanoscale particles and then mixed with pure GO to be GO/CA/GO (GCG) composite forming hierarchical GO/CA nanoasperities on the GO surface. The strength and toughness of the nacre-inspired GCG composite films were simultaneously improved by adjusting the nanoparticle concentration and hierarchical level of the GO-based films. Compared to pristine GO films and GO/CA composites, which exhibit a low level of hierarchy in their structures, the tensile strength and toughness of the GCG composites with higher hierarchy were enhanced 3.1 and 1.6 times and 47.6 and 10.9 times, respectively. Furthermore, a plausible mechanism of increasing mechanical properties based on nanoscale asperities and homogeneous interactions between GO and CA has been discussed.

Iodine and oleylamine react to form oleylammonium iodide, which is the most widely used iodide source for the anion-exchange reaction in lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs). The Lewis acid–base properties of iodine and oleylamine inevitably result in the formation of a charge-transfer complex between the oleylamine and iodine redox systems, including iodine, iodide, and triiodide ions. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that triiodide ions hinder anion-exchange activities by monitoring the extent of anion exchange in LHP at various triiodide concentrations. Additionally, we observe that the presence of triiodide results in the formation of LHP NCs with a low photoluminescence quantum yield as triiodide consumes iodide. Finally, we propose a facile and efficient method for minimizing the concentration of triiodide in the precursor solution; heating the precursor solution facilitates fast iodide conversion, thereby decreasing the triiodide concentration. As a result, anion-exchange LHP NCs with a high photoluminescence quantum yield can be obtained with high efficiency.

White light is of great technical interest in many photonic applications. In this work, colloidal solutions containing mutually immiscible green perovskite nanocrystals and red InP quantum dots are developed as color‐conversion (CC) materials for generating white light. By combining the green/red CC materials and a blue top‐emission organic light‐emitting diode as an excitation source, it is possible to generate white light with a range of color temperatures (CTs). The technical approach can be extended to a wide variety of photonic applications where controllable CT is desirable. To generate white light, down‐conversion materials of green ZnBr2–CsPbBr3perovskite nanocrystals and red InP quantum dots are used, with blue top‐emission organic light‐emitting diodes (TOLEDs) as the excitation light and blue light source. Compositional variation of down‐conversion materials and luminance change of the blue TOLED allows the generation of white light with a range of color temperatures.

Developing high-performance electrodes is imperative for improving the energy efficiency and power density of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). This study developed a multi-porous graphite felt (GF) electrode, comprising micropores, mesopores, and macropores. This was achieved through a continuous two-stage heat treatment based on zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 coating. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results confirmed the effect of the pore size on the electrochemical properties by comparing the single-scale pore structure and multi-porous structure. The electrochemical activities were enhanced both by micropores, which significantly increased the number of active sites, and by mesopores and macropores, which improved the accessibility of vanadium ions to the active sites. Consequently, the multi-porous electrode showed the highest electrochemical activity for vanadium ion redox reactions owing to the synergistic advantages conferred by the presence of different pore sizes. The VRFB with the multi-porous electrode exhibited the highest energy efficiency (70.75 %) at a current density of 200 mA cm−2, which was 12.07 % higher than that of Bare GF. Furthermore, it exhibited a specific discharge capacity of 13.51 Ah L−1at a current density of 250 mA cm−2. The VRFB with multi-porous electrodes showed stable operation for 3300 cycles without a significant decrease in efficiency or modifications to the pore structure. The proposed method can be used to effectively fabricate high-performance multi-porous electrodes applicable to VRFBs and other energy storage systems.

We carried out KF postdeposition treatment (PDT) on a Cu(In,Ga)Se2(CIGS) layer with a process time varying from 50 to 200 s. The highest CIGS solar-cell efficiency was achieved at a KF PDT process time of 50 s; in this condition, we observed the highest level of K element at the near-surface of the CIGS layer and the perfectly passivated pinholes on the CIGS surface. At process times above 150 s, the oversupplied KF agglomerated into large islands and was subsequently eliminated during the deposition of the chemical bath deposition (CBD)-Zn(O,S) buffer layer owing to the islands’ water-soluble characteristics. As a result, the growth mechanism of the CBD-Zn(O,S) layer varied as a function of KF PDT process time. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were used to examine the dependency of the chemical state on the KF PDT process time, and from the results, we formulated a chemical reaction model based on the shift in the elemental binding energy following deposition of the CBD-Zn(O,S) buffer layer. The chemical states of the K–In–Se phase, which have a beneficial effect on the solar-cell performance owing to the formation of durable and improved p–n junctions, are formed only at a KF PDT process time of 50 s. We derived band alignments from the XPS depth profiles by extracting the conduction- and valence-band offsets, and we used optical-pump–THz-probe spectroscopy to measure the ultrafast photocarrier lifetimes related to the defect states following KF PDT. Our key findings can be summarized as follows: (i) photocarrier transport is beneficial at a low barrier height, and (ii) the photocarrier lifetime increases when the K–In–Se phases are formed on the CIGS surface, which allows K+ions to be effectively substituted into Cu vacancies.

Strain engineering of perovskite quantum dots (pQDs) enables widely tunable photonic device applications. However, manipulation at the single-emitter level has never been attempted. Here, we present a tip-induced control approach combined with tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TEPL) spectroscopy to engineer strain, bandgap, and the emission quantum yield of a single pQD. Single CsPbBrxI3–xpQDs are clearly resolved through hyperspectral TEPL imaging with ∼10 nm spatial resolution. The plasmonic tip then directly applies pressure to a single pQD to facilitate a bandgap shift up to ∼62 meV with Purcell-enhanced PL increase as high as ∼105for the strain-induced pQD. Furthermore, by systematically modulating the tip-induced compressive strain of a single pQD, we achieve dynamical bandgap engineering in a reversible manner. In addition, we facilitate the quantum dot coupling for a pQD ensemble with ∼0.8 GPa tip pressure at the nanoscale estimated theoretically. Our approach presents a strategy to tune the nano-opto-electro-mechanical properties of pQDs at the single-crystal level.

This study investigates the use of an alkaline earth metal precursor (MgF2) to enhance the performance of chalcogenide-based Cu(In,Ga)Se2(CIGS) solar cells with a chemically bath deposited-Zn(O,S) (CBD-Zn(O,S)) buffer layer viapost-deposited treatment (PDT). The optimal substrate temperature and layer thickness are 570 °C and 5 nm, and the light soaking (LS) treatment does not be required in this condition. The morphological properties and chemical reaction at the p-n junction of CIGS/CBD-Zn(O,S) are examined as a function of MgF2PDT layer thickness. As the MgF2PDT layer thickness increases, the CIGS surface becomes rough with vigorously agglomerated Cu clusters owing to the substantially high substrate temperature, which increases the incorporation of In-Se bonds and the oxygenation rate of MgF2. Density functional theory (DFT) clarifies the improved cell efficiency without the need for LS treatment (MgF2PDT, 5 nm) by calculating the defect-related electronic behavior. The MgF2phase effectively passivates metastable defect Cu-Se vacancy defects (VCu-Se), related to the LS effect without the additional formation of deep-level defect states into the CIGS bandgap. Moreover, VCu-Sestates exert the most influence on the LS effect, and the control of defect states in the CIGS layer (not the buffer layer) is crucial for cell efficiency.

Aesthetically appealing photovoltaic (PV) panels with colorful layers are used in numerous applications involving color matching with the surroundings. To develop a colored film for a PV system, appropriate optical properties such as high transparency and low angle sensitivity are necessary because the colored layers can reduce the efficiency of the PV system by causing variations in the transmittance and angle of incidence. Herein, we propose a facile fabrication method for bioinspired three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystal (PC) films that exhibit broad angle-insensitive transmission and reflection, for application in colorful PV. This structure, patterned on a sequentially stacked 11-layer film of SiO2and TiO2, is fabricated via nanoimprint lithography and a one-step dry-etching process, without using a metal mask. The changes in transmission and reflection are observed via ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and from the reflected images obtained under various angles. The transmittance dips of the 3D PC film shift by less than 10 nm in wavelength, for angles from 0 to 45°, indicating low angle dependency. In addition, the change in the observed color, with respect to the viewing position, is less in the fabricated film. Once the 3D PC film was added to a commercial PV cell, it exhibited a higher efficiency (approximately 6% upper) when compared to a cell with a one-dimensional PC film, during the duration of the experiment, from 0 to 30°. Thus, the proposed method demonstrates excellent potential for developing structural color films for achieving aesthetically appealing PV cells.

•The mechanical properties of pectin gel surpassed those of plant proteins•Pectin and alginate gels exhibited cytocompatibility for animal cell proliferation•3D-printed scaffold of pectin demonstrated proliferative capacity for animal cell

Reaction crude solutions of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) contain various impurities. To use QDs in optoelectronic devices or store them, the impurities must be removed through purification procedures. However, the purification steps often result in the creation of electronic traps because surface ligands are partially removed during purifications. Hence, maintaining the original quality of the QDs after purification is very challenging. Herein, we present a strategy to preserve the original quality of InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs by engineering the charge carrier wavefunctions. By introducing a thick ZnS shell layer, we effectively confine the charge carrier wavefunctions inside the InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs because the thick ZnS layer acts as a large electronic barrier. Consequently, we obtain high-quality InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs with a suppressed photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) drop, whereas InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs with thin ZnS shell layers experience a considerable decrease in their PL QY after multiple purification steps. Time-resolved photoluminescence and single dot spectroscopy studies demonstrate that InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs with a properly thick ZnS shell are significantly less affected by surface traps due to the reduced leakage of charge carriers. Theoretical understanding based on wavefunction calculations also supports this observation. Our strategy offers a promising way to maintain the optoelectronic properties of QDs during purification procedures, thereby enhancing their potential for various applications.

Many petals in nature have a hierarchical structure that imparts various optical properties. Among these, the petals of the Queen of the Night tulip exhibit an iridescent and glossy color due to the diffraction and scattering of light. Herein, we report a bioinspired micro-/nanohierarchical structure that mimics Queen of the Night tulip petal surfaces. Using a method that combined soft lithography and UV–ozone treatment, we fabricated nanoscale line patterns with a linewidth of 600 nm on microwrinkles of 15 μm width and 3 μm height. Using optical microscopy in the dark-field mode and monochromatic light diffraction measurements, we found that these hierarchical structures on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrate synergistically improved the scattering and diffraction effects, unlike the pristine, nano-, and microstructures. In addition, using a dye-colored PDMS material, we fabricated artificial Queen of the Night petals with iridescent and glossy effects. They show great potential for a range of applications, such as coloring, smart displays, dynamic gratings, and light-control devices.

We report a graphene oxide/cross-linking agent (GO/CA) composite inspired by the nacre structure. Based on the “brick-and-mortar” concept of nacre, graphene oxide and a cross-linking agent are covalently conjugated in the form of nacre. The mechanical characteristics of the nacre-mimetic GO/CA composite film can be controlled by adjusting the preparation method, degree of cross-linking, and cross-linking times. As a result, the cross-linking strategy can drastically enhance the tensile strength [142.9 ± 6.4 MPa (∼2.3-fold)], modulus [4.7 ± 0.36 GPa (∼15.7-fold)], and hardness [917.4 ± 85.7 MPa (∼9.0-fold)], which are superior to those of pristine materials. The cross-linking agent-based chemical bonding method for mechanically improved integration is mainly attributed to the formation of strong cross-linked networks between the GO-based 2D interfaces and CA. The facile fabrication process provides many opportunities to design advanced, robust, and integrated nacre-like GO/CA composites, which can be applied to future aerospace utilizations, electronic protectors, robotic elements, and permeable membranes.

Despite recent advance in conventional cancer therapies including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy to reduce tumor size, unfortunately cancer mortality and metastatic cancer incidence remain high. Along with a deeper understanding of stem cell biology, cancer stem cell (CSC) is important in targeted cancer therapy. Herein, we review representative patents using not only normal stem cells as therapeutics themselves or delivery vehicles, but also CSCs as targets for anti-cancer strategy. Relevant patent literatures published between 2005 and 2017 are discussed to present developmental status and experimental results on using normal stem cells and CSCs for cancer therapy and explore potential future directions in this field. Stem cells have been considered as important element of regenerative therapy by promoting tissue regeneration. Particularly, there is a growing trend to use stem cells as a target drug-delivery system to reduce undesirable side effects in non-target tissues. Noteworthy, studies on CSC-specific markers for distinguishing CSCs from normal stem cells and mature cancer cells have been conducted as a selective anti-cancer therapy with few side effects. Many researchers have also reported the development of various substances with anticancer effects by targeting CSCs from cancer tissues. There has been a continuing increase in the number of studies on therapeutic stem cells and CSC-specific markers for selective diagnosis and therapy of cancer. This review focuses on the current status in the use of normal stem cells and CSCs for targeted cancer therapy. Future direction is also proposed.

Following sanitation interventions in food processing facilities, sublethally injured bacterial cells can remain on food contact surfaces. We investigated whether injured SalmonellaTyphimurium cells can attach onto abiotic surfaces, which is the initial stage for further biofilm development. We utilized heat, UV, hydrogen peroxide, and lactic acid treatments, which are widely utilized by the food industry. Our results showed that heat, UV, and hydrogen peroxide did not effectively change populations of attached SalmonellaTyphimurium. Cells treated with hydrogen peroxide had a slightly higher tendency to adhere to abiotic surfaces, although there was no significant difference between the populations of control and hydrogen peroxide–treated cells. However, lactic acid effectively reduced the number of SalmonellaTyphimurium cells attached to stainless steel. We also compared physicochemical changes of SalmonellaTyphimurium after application of lactic acid and used hydrogen peroxide as a positive control because only lactic acid showed a decreased tendency for attachment and hydrogen peroxide induced slightly higher numbers of attached bacteria cells. Extracellular polymeric substance produced by SalmonellaTyphimurium was not detected in any treatment. Significant differences in hydrophobicity were not observed. Surface charges of cell membranes did not show relevant correlation with numbers of attached cells, whereas autoaggregation showed a positive correlation with attachment to stainless steel. Our results highlight that when lactic acid is applied in a food processing facility, it can effectively interfere with adhesion of injured SalmonellaTyphimurium cells onto food contact surfaces.

To identify specific dry eye disease (DED) tear biomarker(s) using tear proteomic analysis, clinical parameters, and their correlations before and after DED treatment.

Abstract

Here, we report highly transparent and flexible AgNW/SWCNT hybrid networks on PET substrates combined with plasmonic welding for securing ultrahigh stability in mechanical and electrical properties under severe bending. Plasmonic welding produces local heating and welding at the junction of AgNWs and leads strong adhesion between AgNW and SWCNT as well as between hybrid structure and substrate. The initial sheet resistance of plasmon treated AgNW/SWCNT hybrid film was 26 Ω sq–1, with >90% optical transmittance over the wavelength range 400–2700 nm. Following 200 cycles of convex/concave bending with a bending radius of 5 mm, the sheet resistance changed from 26 to 29 Ω sq–1. This hybrid structure combined with the plasmonic welding process provided excellent stability, low resistance, and high transparency, and is suitable for highly flexible electronics applications, including touch panels, solar cells, and OLEDs.

We demonstrate photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue in the infrared region, using PbSe/CdSe/CdS core/shell/shell heterostructure nanocrystals (HNCs) with type II or quasi-type II band offsets. Varying deposition rates of the CdS shell result in nanocrystals of diverse morphologies ranging from spheres to pyramids to tetrapods. The faceted shapes enable the selective growth of Au tips, which help increase photocatalytic activity since the Au tips serve as an electron sink. Comparative studies reveal that the photocatalytic activity appears to correlate with the integral overlap of electron and hole wave functions. Tetrapod-shaped HNCs with Au tips show considerably higher photocatalytic activity for the reduction of methylene blue than sphere or pyramid-shaped HNCs of equivalent composition arrangement.

This paper reports on the enhanced photoluminescence (PL) of nanocomposites through the layered structuring of phosphor and quantum dot (QD). Green phosphor of Sr2SiO4:Eu, red QDs of CdSe/CdS/CdZnS/ZnS core-multishell, and thermo-curable resin were used for this study. Two kinds of composite (layered and mixed) were prepared, and the schemes for optical energy transfer between QD and phosphor were suggested and investigated based on PL decay characteristics. It was found that the layered structure is more effective than the mixed one with respect to PL intensity, PL decay, and thermal loss. When this layered nanocomposite (QDs on phosphor) is used to make a white light emitting diode (LED), the brightness is increased by 37%, and the color rendering index (CRI) value is raised to 88.4 compared to the mixed case of 80.4.

A combination of thermal oxidation and thermal recovery was used to obtain transparent single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films with low sheet resistance. The process resulted in the effective removal of impurities and healing of defects in the SWCNTs, thus markedly increasing their conductivity. SWCNT samples before and after the process were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle measurement, and transparent conductive film fabrication. Following purification, the sheet resistance decreased from 5380 to 187 Ω/sq at 80% optical transmittance and at a wavelength of 550 nm. The process requires a short time of about 3 h and produces 30% yield of the as-produced sample.

The grating formation dynamics, SEM images, diffraction efficiency, and electrooptical properties of transmission grating of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals (HPDLCs) have been investigated by incorporating three different types of monofunctional reactive diluents into the host polymer matrices. A gradual increase of real time diffraction efficiency, a decrease of LC droplet size, and an increase of diffraction efficiency of the composite film were obtained with the addition of epoxy acrylate monomers due to the increased viscosity of polymer/LC mixtures leading to decreased droplet coalescence. In addition, epoxy acrylate monomers induced decreased volume shrinkage according to their ring structure with bulky group. Driving voltage increased with the addition of epoxy monomers whereas rise time and decay time decreased as a result of the decreased LC droplet size. At an optimum composition of epoxy monomer, a minimum switching voltage of 6 V µm−1and rise time of 0.15 ms and a decay time of 18.05 ms were respectively obtained.

We investigate thermal behavior of transparent film heaters (TFH) made of single-walled carbon nanotubes. We fabricate the TFH by using the spray coating method. We studied the temperature dependence of the electrical resistance of the TFH in terms of Joule and external heating in various gas environments. Test results show that the effect of the electrical current through the TFH on the temperature dependence of the electrical resistance is not important and that the humidity and the degree of vacuum significantly affect the shape of the resistance−temperature curve. We discuss the physical meanings underlying the experimental results and how to make use of these findings. This study improves the understanding of the heating effect on electrical conductance of the TFH made of single-walled carbon nanotubes which could be a good candidate for the heater in many applications requiring both transparency and heating function.

We present a new type of stretchable dichroic film in which Au and Ag alloy nanoparticles (NPs) are dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The alloy NPs are synthesized with different atomic compositions and sizes to modulate their plasmonic resonance frequencies and absorption and scattering cross sections. The PDMS dichroic film in which 100 nm alloy NPs with a Au/Ag ratio of 7:3 are dispersed shows exotic optical properties under tensile strain. When 40% tensile strain is applied, the film exhibits a strain-sensitive transmission and strain-insensitive reflection behavior in which the transmittance is increased up to 2.6 times, whereas the reflectance remains unchanged. Moreover, we demonstrate a stretchable anticounterfeiting film and a flexible dichroic sculpture fabricated with the PDMS composite. This work demonstrates a new type of plasmonic application that has great potential in various applications, such as special-purpose optical films, security patterns, and smart windows.

Transmission gratings of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals (HPDLCs) have been designed and fabricated based on partial fluorination of the polymer matrix using three types of fluorinated monomers carrying different numbers of fluorine atoms and structures, viz. 2-(perfluoroalkyl)ethyl methacrylate (PFEMA), 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA), and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl acrylate (TFEA). Addition of fluorinated monomer gave long saturation time, increased off state diffraction efficiency, small anchoring strength and driving voltage. Anchoring strength and driving voltage of methacrylate monomers (PFEMA and TFEMA) were lower than that of TFEA, implying that the fluorine segments of these monomers are preferentially exposed to the interfaces. HPDLC film having low driving voltage and response time of below 10 ms has been fabricated with 20 wt % PFEMA at 40 wt % LC.

A pharmaceutical grade extract of Coix lachryma-jobi seeds is currently the most commonly used treatment for cancer in China. Although clinical data supports the use of this preparation of a Traditional Chinese Medicine for cancer treatment, biological basis for the activity of this preparation has not been previously established. To address this issue, we first evaluated the anti-neoplastic activity of a Coix extract emulsion in xenografts of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and found that the extract significantly inhibits growth of MDA-MB-231 xenografts in athymic nude mice. Using oligonucleotide microarrays, we determined that Coix seed extract extract also significantly affects gene expression in these cells, including down-regulation of genes (such as COX-2 and matrixmetalloproteinases) that are considered to be important in neoplasia. The specific gene expression changes noted after Coix treatment are characteristic of inhibition of NFκB-dependant transcription, leading us to evaluate how the treatment affects that pathway. An NFκB-dependant reporter assay demonstrated dose-dependant inhibition of NFκB signaling by treatment of cultures with the extract, and immunofluorescent microscopy found that these effects are associated with reduced translocation of the Rel-A/p65 subunit of NFκB to the nucleus. Coix extract also inhibits activity of protein kinase C, a major mediator of signal transduction and activator of NFκB. Thus, this Traditional Chinese Medicine-based cancer treatment affects cellular pathways of recognized importance in neoplasia.